OCCUPATION OF GERMANY

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1944, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF GERMANY

“BIG THREE” AGREEMENT

ZONES PROPOSED

NEW YORK, September 21. The Washington correspondent, of the “New York Times” says: British, American, and Russian accord on a long-term occupation of Germany is reported to be nearing realisation. President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill at Quebec discussed the major points which are expected to be covered in greater detail in future consultations, either directly or indirectly with Mr. Stalin. The plans are reported to provide for separation of Germany, for purposes of occupation into three geographical zones. Russia is to control Eastern Germany, including Prussia, with the possible exception of Berlin, and Britain and America would be assigned .the responsibility for the remainder of the country, except the Rhineland, which might be occupied partly by the French. The question of the division of responsibility between Britain and America in the north and south ol Western Germany is believed to be the principal matters Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill left for future decision. . . However the opinion in Washington is that the United States will control South Germany, including Baden and Bavaria, and Britain will control North Germany, including the maritime ports. A strong suggestion has been made for the three powers to assumfe joint control in the Berlin area, as well as in Austria. Ic is nor yet known how responsibility will be divided for the occupation of the satellite countries. The plan, it. is understood, relates solely to punitive occupation and does not concern proposals for the dismemberment of the Reich There are two schools ol thought in both the State Department and the Foreign Office regarding Germany’s political future. One argue:* that' Germany should be broken up into independent states as before 18/0; the other contends thtit we should not impose any scheme upon Germany which we are not prepared to enforce a generation from now. CONTROL PROPOSALS

NEW YORK, Sept. 22

The “New York Times’s” Washington correspondent says: Mr. Churchill and .President Roosevelt drafted at. Quebec a post-armistice directive to General Eisenhower, which will result in the strictest possible control of German industry and a ruthless elimination of all elements of the Nazi Party. It is impossible’to say, at present, what Britain and America propose about internationalising or destroying German industry, or whether they propose to break up Germany permanently into independent States, but it can be said that those officials favouring a drastic settlement of the German problem, are at present in the ascendancy, and that their votes predominated at Quebec. No German Government of any description is going to control German heavy industry, and, immediately after the armistice, great quantities of German railroad engines, rolling stock, machine tools and machinery will be moved from Germany and given to Germany s plundered victims. Persons familiar with the Quebec discussions assert that Messrs Churchill and Roosevelt favour a lengthy occupation of Germany to remove the German menace, and nobody is sanguine about the possibilities of a liberal German movement developing for a long time. The Quebec plan provides for British, American and Russian occupational areas in Germany which will be placed under autonomous high comjnissioners, each of whom will be responsible to its own Government, and all three forming a German Commission to coordinate occupation policies in the three regions. But there arc no provisions ensuring that the United States will have any say about the policy in the British or Russian occupation zones or vice versa. However, it is generally admitted that the liaison of the three Power on German post-war policy still leaves a great deal ’to be desired. It is hoped that future meeting between Mr. Churchill, Mr. Stalin and Mr. Roosevelt will improve their understanding. BAVARIAN CLAIM. NEW YORK, September 21. A “New York Times’s” correspondent at Florence says: Prince Ruprecht von Wittelsbach has joined the Allies. He expressed interest in the plan for the partition of Germany. Prince Ruprecht claims the right to the Bavarian throne, as he is the son of the last Bavarian ruler, King Ludwig. He remained in Florence when the Nazi Army withdrew to await the Allies.

‘SCORCHED EARTH ” WARNING I

WASHINGTON, September 21

Mr. Hull, at a Press conference, ( when asked to comment on the PoI lish proposal warning Germany that if the European areas are scorched I the Germans will be forced to give up l fuel and clothing for the victims, said i that the Germans had already been i told that many of them will be shot ! for taking lives. Therefore, it is apI propriate to make such warnings rei lating to property. j Replying to other questions Mr. ' Hull said that the United Nations will ;be ready to meet chaos, civil war , and almost any possible conditions i when Germ’ajjy collapses, but that the I Allied plans for the military control I of Germany are not yet complete. t The Associated Press said there is I a firm conviction in official quarters jin Washington that the peace given j Germany will be a hard peace, de- > signed to teach the German people i the lesson of the consequences of their ■ aggression.